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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Members of the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) have risen against the management of the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, over the recent appointment of Dr. Sam Odoh as the Deputy Provost of the college.
The Union rejected the appointment, insisting that Dr. Odo was not qualified. It also accused the college management, particularly the Governing Council Chairman and the Provost, of planting a seed of discord and industrial breakdown in the college.
The academic staff said the outcome of their congress, scheduled for Thursday, would determine their next line of action, accusing the Chairman of COEASU in the college, Chidi Agbo, of betraying the union and playing the script of the school management led by the Provost, Dr. Pauline Ikwuegbu.
The staff members asked that the Chairman of the Governing Council of the college, Prince Melubari Akekue, immediately reverse the appointment or face a mass revolt against the management of the institution.
A senior member of the Academic Board of the College, in a petition, highlighted what was described as the illegal, unconstitutional, and procedurally defective appointment of Dr. Odo as the substantive Deputy Provost of the College.
The official described the action as a “pure imposition” of a candidate on the college and its staff, and also alleged that it was part of a plot orchestrated by the Provost to install someone who would, allegedly, cover up her “illegal dealings” after leaving office in a few weeks.
The official recalled that on October 9, 2025, in line with the provisions of the Federal Colleges of Education Establishment Act 2023, Section 15 (2) and (3), an election was conducted on the floor of the Academic Board for the office of Deputy Provost of the college.
Two candidates, Dr. Simon Eze and Dr. Samuel Odo, were duly nominated by the Provost for the position. However, shortly before the election, Dr. Eze stepped down from the contest, after which the Provost declared Dr. Odo Deputy Provost-elect without conducting a “Yes” or “No” vote to determine whether the remaining candidate enjoyed the confidence and approval of members of the academic board.
Consequently, some members of the academic board petitioned the chairman of the Governing Council, arguing that where one candidate remains after the withdrawal of another, democratic procedure requires members of the academic board to conduct a “Yes” or “No” vote to determine whether the sole candidate should be elected.
Acting on the petition, the Governing Council, at its 113th meeting held on March 5, 2026, directed the college management to conduct another deputy provost election. The council specifically instructed that where one candidate steps down, a “Yes” or “No” vote must be conducted.
Pursuant to the directive of the Governing Council, another election was held on March 17, 2026, before the academic board. At the meeting, the Provost nominated Dr. Martha Okeke and Dr. Samuel Odo. Subsequently, Dr. Martha Okeke stepped down in favour of Dr. Odo shortly before the election began.
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In compliance with the directive of the Governing Council, the Provost ordered that a “Yes” or “No” vote be conducted. At the conclusion of the exercise, the following result was officially declared: 38 “Yes” votes and 53 “No” votes.
The implication of the result, according to the petitioners, was “clear and unambiguous,” as Dr. Odo was rejected by the majority of members of the academic board and, therefore, failed to secure the confidence, mandate, and acceptance required for appointment as Deputy Provost.
Afterwards, there was no petition from the candidate against either the result or the conduct of the election. The result and conduct of the election, the petitioners noted, were satisfactory to all parties involved.
However, at its meeting held on Friday, May 15, 2026, the Governing Council reportedly reversed itself and proceeded to appoint Dr. Odo as substantive Deputy Provost for a tenure of two years on the grounds that once Dr. Martha Okeke stepped down before the election, there was no need for a “Yes” or “No” vote.
The college staff highlighted what they described as the legal, constitutional, and industrial implications of the appointment.
“It is dangerous for the council to sow the seed of discord and, by its action, cause industrial disharmony in the college,” the petition stated.
They argued that the council should be interested in the progress of the college, instead of “pulling the college down,” insisting that the rejection of the candidate by his colleagues suggested that those who work closely with him believed he was not capable of occupying the office and moving the institution forward.
Meanwhile, the COEASU Chairman in the college, Mr. Chidi Agbo, told Daily Sun that he could not take proactive action against the appointment because the information initially came to him as a rumour, adding that he was awaiting formal communication from the Governing Council.
“I don’t take actions based on rumours. What has been happening was a rumour. We are yet to hear from the council on the said appointment. There is a limit to what I can say on that matter because I have limited information on it,” he said.
He confirmed that a congress has been scheduled for Thursday to critically deliberate on the matter and take necessary actions, which could either be friendly or otherwise to the college management.
When contacted, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prince Melubari Akekue, declined to comment on the matter.
“I don’t have anything to say on this matter now. Besides, I am busy with APC senatorial primary activities now,” he said.
